Parachute harness



July 12, 1949.

J. MILLER ETAL PARACHUTE HARNESS 4 Sheds-Sheet 1' H Filed Dec. 29, 1345 v INVENTORS JOSHUA M/LLER BERG/f L'KAUFFM/IN BY JAMES 7. TRZ/EL5EA/ July 12, 1949. ER E 2,475,631

' v I PARACHUTE HARNESS Fild Dec. 29, 1 94s 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOSHUA M/ ER BERG/E LKAZ/ M BY JAMES 7.- mums A TTORNEY y 1949. J. MILLER ETAL 2,475,631

' PARACHUTE HARNESS Filed Dec. 29.. 1945 4 Sheets- $heet a INVENTORS JOSHUA M/ALER BERG/E A .KAl/FFM4N .hi y v1949- J. MILLER ETAL 2,475,631

' PARAQHU'I'E HARNESS Filed Dec. 29. 1945 '"4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS JOSHUA 1452 BERG/E LJfAU/FMAN BY JAMES z TRUELSE/V ATTORNEY Patented July 12, 1949 PARAGHU IE HARNESS JoshuafMiller, Drexel Hill, Pa Bergi e- Lax-aeman,"Collingswood, N. J andtJamesvTl-flriielsen"; Philadelphia; Pa.

Application December 293-1945,"SerialJNor63m812 21 Claims.

. amended .Aprii 30, I928 Our invention relatesrto parachute harnesses Ir wand particularly. to constructions whereby such harnesses may-be quickly and: easily adjustedto .Jfit wearers; of different" size and may be arranged veto providexgreater safety and comfort-fortthe i nwearer.

It has been usual heretofore to provide-parachute harnesses with adapters: for Varying the eflective*length'oithe leg straps and-bodyengagsing straps so. that: awstandard harnesshmay be adjusted. to -fit different wearers. Howevenprior adaptersihave not been capable ofquick andeasy ifldjllStlIlEllt' whiletheharness is'in place on the wearer and it is almost-impossible to adjust the straps at all when they.arewallrconnectedin-weare 1 1 ing position. Moreover, since itrgenerallyrequired from ten to fifteen .minutes is even -for :an expert to adjustthe harness"properlyv it; is usual to tack w thestrapsof therharnesstogether-after theyhave oncewbeen adjusted in'orderto be surethat they will always be arranged to fit a particular wearer. ihe same harness therefore is seldom suited for nseubydifferent wearersandit is-not feasibleto provide awharness which isleftsin the seat oian aeroplane to he worn by. any pilot orpassenger h who mayuse the aircraft.

It is also usual for wearers --to arrange the l harness so that it fits sufficientlylooselyabout the legs: antibody to render it comfortable when they mare? standing or walking-about or during long flights -As aresult; when theparachute isaotu- -aily used the seat strap frequently slips up rearwardly from-beneathwthe wearers-seat drawing t the-leg straps intothe crotch in a manner which iS'lTIlO-St uncomfortable and may even injure the.

wearer. In the.alternative-pilotsand passengers floftenlunsnap" the .fasteners of the harness which lotherwiseahold: them rigid .or stiff and interferes with-mobility and-thereforeit is necessary to rebuciclethe harness before. jumpingfand thereare wherefore delays and danger of improperconnection -of the harness in emergency.

tEfforts have been made, to overcome-this difliculty bympermitting the webbing. to..slip when under load so astto tighten the harnessmnthe is wearer, but- .this does not. assure proper-positioningof-thestraps on the wearer and subjects. the wearer sto -severe abrasion and cramping when the straps aredrawmup. forcibly uponshock load- -..a .ing. of theparachute.

.ln accordance with ourinventionnthese objections to harnessestoi. the prior art are overcome ,by providing a .noveltype Ioftadj-ustmentior .para- .chuteuharnesseswhereby they... can 106 fitted. to

Wanyonehin' a matteriot aiew -secondsand. camber.

J. 2 loosened or tightened easily and quickly while ju-llwconnected sd'thatthe-wearer is under no 're'straint while walking or moving about, but can draw the harness inst'antlyinto position to hold the seat strapsecuiely in placebeneath his seat 1 and" about his body without the delays necessary to insure safety and comfort when fastening and sing prior paracliuteharnesses.

I-heseatlv'antages are attained when using'our invention by providingadjusting means on the straps of the harness wh'ich are freely movable to ishorten the it straps but' positively "prevent le'ngthe'ning or'=loosening*of the straps when they re -plac'ed uhderfit'ension. on the other hand,

. 5 the fadjusting' means-may -"be manipu1ated easily toirel-ease" thestraps;andzloosenthe-harness with- -outl.;disconnectingf:.the= straps'; or F removing the ::harness rromsthe'wearer.

-Z'One ofltthe objects ofi'our'invention is to-prozo vide a parachutei liharness which is quickly and :I-ea siIy adiusteditosfit wearers oi different size.

Another objectizof ourwinvention is to :provide W; awparachutezharnesswithameans for adjusting the i stra-psltthereof while.:tliey are connected 1 in place on a wearer.

A -further object of our':invention; isl to -provide 1 a: parachute-harness Whi Ch' affords greatensafety sand: comfor t--for the wearer.

1 Theseand iotherr-r objectsand?fieatures of our "invention will} appear from the following descrip- :ztiorr thereof: tin whlchr-reference. is 'made to the a nafigures: off the accompanying drawing.

-= :-:In thea'drawingz P-Figt 1 is ai-rperspectiveofuone typical form of :parachute h'arness embodyingour /invention;

r Fig. Zis awlong'itudinal sectionalview through one formi ofw adjusterv-r-ldevice embodied= in the harness-of Fig" 1;

trig. 3 is a perspective-of en alternativeform of 40 t adjnstendeviceembodiedzin the-harness of Fig. 1

.Fig. A is awperspective of-an alternative .form of harness e'mbodyingour invention;

. Fig. 51-15 a perspectiveLof alurtheralternative type. ofsharness embodying our invention;

Fig. 6;is a longitudinalr sectional view-through one.-.of:-.the adjustermdvices embodied in. the harnesso'f' Fig.,5.; ;and

Eigt lis aperspective.loianbther form of bari. .nessembodying .ouninvehtion.

.Referring tmthedraiwings and more. particutoltheisholilders'igthe portioniimderthe seat'being the mid-portion of the entire web If]. The web it may be given adequate strength by forming the same of a plurality of identical webs stitched together at their side edges and elsewhere as shown. At two points, the edges of the Webs are not stitched together, thereby forming adjacent pairs of passageways II and I2, and I3 and It, in opposite sides of the web I0, respectively, through which other webs or straps of the harness may be passed as hereinafter described.

In the shoulder areas at opposite sides of the wearer, the main web I is reeved through adjuster devices I and I6, respectively, in the manner shown most clearly in Fig. 2, and then is folded downwardly upon itself and suitably secured to the underlying portion thereof and to rings I1 and I6, respectively, which are also secured to the underlying portions of the web Ill. The rings I1 and I8 are provided for attaching to the harness a chest parachute of suitable design.

Loosely mounted upon the main web H1 at opposite sides of the front of the wearer and intermediate the adjuster devices l5 and I6 and the rings I7 and I3, are strap loops I9 and 2s, respectively, that are adapted to extend inwardly across the chest of the wearer. Secured to the inner ends of the strap loops I9 and 20 are a ring 2! and hook fastener 22,:respectively, arranged for interlocking connection with one another in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

In addition to the main web Hl which supports the weight of the wearer when descending by means of a parachute attached to rings 11 and i8, auxiliary webs are provided for the purpose of preventing the wearer from falling out of the main supporting web I0 particularly during the shock or jolt that occurs when the parachute opens. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, a suitable back strap assembly 23, is provided which passes horizontally across the back of the wearer and then forwardly about the right and left hand sides through the previously mentioned passageways I2 and I3, respectively, in the main web Ill. After passing through the passageways l2 and I3, the back strap 23 forms side loop portions 24 and 25 which pass through 'a ring 26 and hook fastener 21, respectively, and then double back through the passages I I and I4 in the main web I6, thence around the rightand left hand sides of the wearer from where they extend upwardly, crossing over behind the back, and then pass forwardly over the opposite shoulders where the end portions 28 and 29 thereof are adjustably connected to the aforesaid adjuster devices I5 and I6, respectively. Theportions of the back strap assembly 23 that cross over behind the back of the wearer and forwardly over the opposite shoulders may be provided with an interconnecting loop strap 30 loosely mounted thereon for the purpose of preventing the shoulder portions of the strap from slipping laterally off the shoulders.

The adjuster devices I5 and I6 illustrated are similar to those described in the copending ap plication of Miller and Truelsen, Serial No. 603,- 998, filed July 9, 1945, and are of identical construction, although other devices which permit the straps to be freely moved in shortening the straps but positively prevent slipping of the straps when placed under tension may beused. Each of the adjusting devices shown comprise a rectangular or square open frame 3| having associated therewith a friction grip member 32 which is disposed parallel to the frame end portion 33 and slidably mounted upon the side por- 4 tions 34 of said frame 3I. It is to be noted that the end portion 33 of the adjuster frame 3I is relatively thicker than other portions thereof to provide an offset or projecting portion beyond the general plane of the adjuster devices at the underside thereof as indicated at 35.

The end portions 28 and 29 of the back strap assembly 23 are adjustably connected to the adjuster devices I5 and I6, respectively, substantially as shown in Fig. 2, the said end portions each being passed beneath the frame end portion 35 and friction members 32 of said adjuster device, upwardly through the frame 3| between the other frame end portion thereof and said friction member 32 and then doubled back over said friction member 32, reversely through the frame 3| and outwardly beneath the frame end portion 33 so that the respective end portions of the back strap assembly 23 are relatively free and positioned so as to be readily accessible to the wearer. The free ends of the back strap assembly may be folded upon themselves once or twice and stitched to provide stops 36 and 31, respectively, of sufficient size to prevent complete disengagement of the ends of the strap 23 from the adjuster devices I5 and i6, respectively, all as clearly shown in the drawing.

In addition .to the back strap assembly 23, leg straps 38 and 39 having a hook fastener 40 and ring 4|, respectively, adjustable on their end portions 42 and 43, as hereinafter described, are wound around, through, and stitched to the main web I0 as indicated generally at 44 and 45, respectively. The leg straps s8 and 3%? are adapted to pass forwardly between the legs of the wearer and then upwardly over the abdomen of the wearer for interconnection of the hook fastener 46 and ring 4I thereon with the ring '26 and hook fastener 21, respectively, on the side loop portions 24 and 25 formed by the back strap assembly 23.

As stated, the fastener 40 and ring M are ad" justably secured upon the free end portions 42 and 43 of the leg straps 38 and 39 respectively, and in accordance with the present invention, this is accomplished by providing novel hook fastener and ring constructions generally similar to the adjuster devices I5 and I6, previously described. The ring fastener is shown in perspective in Fig. 3. However, both the fastener 46 and ring 4I comprise rectangular r square open frames 46 and 41, respectively, Each having associated therewith a friction member 48 and 49, which is slidably mounted on the side portions of said frames for movement therealong. It is to be borne in mind that, as in the case of the adjuster devices I5 and I6, the frame end portions 50 and 5| are relatively thicker than the remainder of the frames and arranged to provide offset or projecting portions at the underside of said frames, the same as the portions 35 of the adjuster devices I5 and I6 previously described.

The end portions of the leg straps 38 and 36 are passed through the frames 46 and respectively of the fastener 40 and ring 4| substantially in the same manner as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the said end portions 4 2 and 43 of the straps being passed first beneath the frame end portions 56 and 5| and the slidable friction members 48 and 49, respectively, and then outwardly through the eyes of said frames 46 and 41, back over said friction members, then inwardly through the eyes of said frames and outwardly beneath the frame end portions 50 and 5|, respectively, so that the ends 42 and 43 of said straps are free and in positions readily accessible to the wearer. The ends of the straps 38 and 39 are folded upon themselves once or twice and stitched to provide stops 52 and :53, respectively, of sufficient size to prevent disengagement of the strapend portions from the fastener and ring 4|, respectively.

It is pointed out that the length of the leg straps 38 and 39, and the length of the back strap assembly 23, are sufficient to provide for adjustment of the positions of the fastener 40, ring 4| and adjuster devices I and t6, respec tively, on said straps as, and to the extent, required to fit the harness properly upon persons of all sizes.

The harness shown in Fig 1 is fastened to the wearer by snapping the hooks 122, 2'1 and on the rings 2 I, 4| and 26, respectively, in the manner and relation illustrated. Before fastening the hooks onto the rings, the end portions '28 and 29 of the back strap assembly 23 are adjusted with respect to the adjuster devices I5 and I6, and the end portions 42 and 43 of the leg straps 38 and 39 are adjusted with respect to the fastener 40 and ring 4|, respectively, to provide sufficient slack in the respective straps to enable the several rings and hooks to be readily and easily fastened together by the wearer. The amount of slack required in the several straps, of course, is dependent upon the size of the particular wearer and, :as hereinbefore stated, the straps have a length sufficient to provide for adjustment to meet the requirements of persons of all sizes.

After the hooks and rings have been fastened together as described, the slack in theleg and back straps is taken up, and the'harness properly tightened and fitted upon the wearer, merely by the wearer selectively grasping the free end portions 42, 43, 28 and 29,, of said straps and pulling the same through the associated adjusters, hook and ring. Such adjustment can be effected quickly and easily by inexperienced persons. Moreover, since the straps are connected together when tightened the shortening of one strap serves in effect to shorten both of the connected straps at the same time and to produce a balance and fitting of the harness which is not possible when they are adjusted separately. Thus, for example, by pulling the free end 43 of the leg strap 39 downward while ring 4| is connected to the hook fastener 21 on strap loop 25, the seat portion ID of the harness is drawn forward beneath the wearers seat. while the straps 23 are tightened about the wearers side andback to hold the harness in placeso that a properfit is established and safety and comfort are assured.

As the straps are thus tightened, the tension thereon causes the friction member 32 of the adjuster |5 and corresponding members of the hook or ring, as the case may be, to be urged forcibly toward the frame end portion 33 with increasing force so as to clamp the straps firmly therebetween with the result that the straps are securely and tightly held in the positions to which adjusted. slippage of the straps under load cannot occur since the greater the tension or pull upon the straps, the tighter will be the clamping or gripping action of the gripping members of the adjusters l5 and N5, the hook 40 and ring 4|, respectively, on the straps to prevent slippage or displacement thereof. For this reason the construction and arrangement of the adjusters l5 and t6, hooklll andringfl is such'that, once tightened, the straps associated therewith suitable design.

will not work loose accidentally, or on continued moving about of the wearer and on the other hand they will not draw up or tighten on the wearer under shock loading of the parachute. Therefore, safety and comfort are assured whereas abrasion of the straps against the wearer due to slippage of the straps cannot occur.

After the harness has been donned and adjusted as described the wearer is able to loosen the chest and leg straps for greater comfort without unfastening the hooks and rings. This may be accomplished easily by lifting the frame end portion 33 from the full line position to the dotted line position of Fig. 2. When thus raised the tension on the strap 23 urges the friction member 32 against the side frame members 3| rather than toward the end frame portion 33. The strap end 28 then tends to straighten out and in so doing causes the friction member to move away or back off from the end frame portion 33 so as to release the straps and permit them to slide freely through the adjuster.

Loosened in this manner, the harness may again be worn comfortably but can be readily and easily re-tightened to fit properly merely by pulling upon the free end portions of the chest-and leg straps in the manner previously described.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the invention is by no means limited to such disclosure since it may be embodied in substantially any type of harness. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 4 the upper portions of the main web Ill may be reeved through fixed adapters of conventional type as shown at and 6| and are then folded down upon themselves and suitably attached to the underlying portions of the main web and to the rings I7 and I8 provided for receiving a chest parachute pack of The upper portions of back straps 23 also extend through the fixed adapters 60 and 6| and include portions 62 and 63 which continue forward over the wearers chest to provide the loops which carry a ring 64 and snap hook 65 respectively. From the ring and snap hook the straps 62 and 63 pass to the slip adjusters 66 and 61 which preferably are essentially the same as those shown at It and IS in Figs. 1 and 2. The free ends 68 and 69 of the straps 62 and 63 extend through the central opening in the frames of the adjusters and over the friction members 10 and II respectively and then pass back beneath the enlarged end frame portions 12 and 13. The extremities of the straps may be folded once or twice to form'the end stops "l4 and 15 for preventing the ends of the straps from slipping out of the adapters when the harness is loosened.

The slip adjusters 6t and 61 are themselves connected to the opposite ends of a back strap It which extend forward through openings 11 and 78 formed by the omission of stitching in the main web Ill.

The lower portions of the back straps 23 extend forward at opposite sides of the wearer through openings 79 and 80 in the main web 10 to form loops 8| and 82 which carry a ring 83 and a snap hook 84 respectively. The straps pass from the ring and snap hook to the seat portion of the main web 1!! where they are secured by stitching. However, the ends of these straps are extended to form the leg straps 85 and 86 which have slip adjusters 81 and 88 provided with hook 89 and ring 9|] respectively for connection with the ring 83 and hook 84. The construction-and operation of the leg straps85 and 86 and slip adjusters 81 and 88 is substantially the same as in that form of our invention illustrated in Fig. 1 whereby the leg straps and back straps are simultaneously fitted to the wearer. However, the harness shown in Fig. 4 aifords adjustment of the loops 54 and. 65 which extend across the chest and thus provides for greater comfort and safety in some instances and on some wearers.

In that form of our invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the harness is very similar to that shown in Fig. 4 but instead of using the fixed adapters 6t and ti of Fig. 4 the back straps 23 are connected to slip adjusters 9t and ti as shown in Fig. 6. The back strap 18 is extended forward through the openings 'li' and it in the main web I and forms the loops t2 and 93 carrying a ring M and a snap hook 95 respectively. The ends of the back strap pass from the ring and hook to the slip adjusters 9t and 9! respectively where they are threaded through the central opening in the frame of the adjuster and then over the fric tion members 95 and 9t and out beneath the thickened frame end portions as illustrated in Fig. 6. The free ends 98 and it of the straps are doubled upon themselves once or twice to provide the stops H19 and MI.

The main web ID of the harness shown in Fig. are freely slidable through eyes Hi2 and M13 in the slip adjusters 90 and BI and pass rearwardly from the adjusters over the wearers shoulders to a back or seat pack (not shown).

With this construction the harness is drawn up to fit the wearer by pulling downward on the free ends I594 and I05 of the leg straps t5 and 86 by which slip adjusters 8i and d8 are carried and by pulling downward on the free ends 98 and 89 of the straps extending from the slip adjusters 9i] and 9|. At the same time the harness may be loosened readily to provide comfort by simply raising the thickened end portion ldfi of the adjuster frame as in the construction shown in Fig.2.

The construction shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that shown in Fig. 4 but the back straps 23 are fixedly secured to the central bars ill! of fittings III and H2 while separate straps i it and H4 are attached to the lower end bars of the fittings and take the place of the strap portions 32 and 63 of Fig. 4 so as to form loops which extend over the wearers chest and carry the ring H5 and the snap hook I It respectively. The free ends Ill and H8 of the straps I I3 and H4 extend through the slip adjusters t6 and 6'! for tightening the harness on the wearer.

The main webs Id of the harness pass beneath the upper end bars I I9 and lit of the fittings I ll and I I2 and extend rearwardly over the wearers shoulder to a back pack or scat pack not shown.

The leg straps 85 and G6 carry the slip adjusters 81 and 88 and cooperate with the slip adjusters 66 and 67 to insure proper fitting of the harness by quick and easy operations while permitting the desired looseness for comfort and ready connection of the hook and ring or other securing members employed in the combination.

From theforegoing description it will be ap parent that substantially any type of parachute harness may be constructed and arranged to embody the present invention and may be manufactured in a single size. At the same time it can be quickly and easily donned and adjusted to fit properly by inexperienced personnel regardless of his or her size and either before or after-boarding a plane and whether. in a standing or. sitting position. Moreover, on shortening one strap while connected to another the harness fits itself automatically to the wearer throughout substantially the entire harness thereby bringing the elements into balanced relation. In particular, when used in that type of harness wherein the main web is in the form of a sling having a seat portion by which leg straps are carried and extend upward between the legs for attachment to body engaging straps, the invention may be arranged so that shortening of the leg straps (or body straps to which the leg straps are connected) serves to draw the seat strap forward beneath the wearer and at the same time decreases the effective length of the connected straps so that the seat strap will not slip' out rearwardly from beneath the wearer and his safety and comfort during shock loading of the parachute canopy and under other conditions of useare assured.

The invention also provides a parachute harness which may be loosened by the wearer for greater comfort without unfastening the le or chest straps and which in any emergency may be substantially instantaneously tightened and properly fitted preparatory to jumping. The invention further provides a parachute harness wherein the possibility of injury by pinching or abrasion due to slippage of the straps on shock loading of the parachute is substantially eliminated. 'The construction and fitting of the harness is thus greatly simplified and is entirely safe and fool-proof in use.

The various alternative forms of our invention 0 shown and described above are designed to show typical ways in which the elements of the combination may be constructed and arranged so as to adapt the invention to different types of parachute harness. However, other forms and types of harness may be employed and the shape, size and location of the slip connectors may be varied considerably and will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. In View thereof it should be understood that the forms of our invention herein shown and described are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of our invention.

The invention described herein may be manufactured by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

We claim:

1. Parachute harness comprising a main web having a portion arranged to pass beneath the seat of a wearer and portions arranged to extend upward in front of a wearer toward the shoulders, leg straps connected to the seat portion of the main web, body engaging straps connected to the upwardly extending portions of the main web and movable with respect thereto in adjusting the harness to fit a wearer, separable connectors carried by the leg straps and body engaging straps to hold the harness in place on the wearer, said leg straps and body engaging straps each having a free end portion located in position to be readily grasped by a wearer, and means for varying the effective length of the connected leg straps and body engaging straps including slip adjusters carried by said straps and each having an element engageable by the free end of one of said straps and movable thereby to hold the straps in fixed position when placed under tension in :a direction to increase the effective length thereof, said element being movable to release thestraps for adjusting movement when the straps are not under such tension.

2. Parachute harness comprising a main web having a portion arranged to pass beneath the seat of a wearer and portions arranged to extend upward in front of a wearer towardthe shoulders, leg straps connected to the seat portion of the mainweb, body engaging straps connected to the upwardly extending portions of the main web and movable with respect thereto in adjusting the harness to fit a wearer, separable connectors carried by the leg straps and body engaging straps to hold the harness in place on the wearer, other separable connectors carried by body engaging straps which are arranged to extend across a wearers chest, said leg straps and body engaging straps each having a free end positioned to be located in front of a wearer, and means for varying the effective length of the connected straps to fit the harness to a wearer, including slip adjusters carried by said straps and each having an element engageable by the free end of one of said straps and movable thereby to hold the straps in fixed positions when placed under tension in a direction to increase the effective length thereof, said element being movable to release the straps for adjustment when not under such tension.

3. A harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seatot the. wearer, thence up I the front and terminating at the shoulders, adjuster devices secured to the terminal ends of said main Web in the forward shoulder region at opposite sides of the wearer, means to attach a parachuteto said main web, means carried by said main web to interconnect the terminal portions thereof across the chest of the wearer, a back strap arranged to extend horizontally across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of the wearer through open ings in the main web to form side loops, said back strap then passing, reversely through other openings in said main web thence around the right and left sides of the wearer, upwardly crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the oppositewshoulders and havingportions thereof adj ustably secured respectively to said adjuster devices, leg straps having one end thereof, se cured to said main web and arranged to extend forwardly between. the legs and upwardly over the abdomen. of the wearer, a ring and a hook respectively on said side loop portions of the back strap, and a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the free end portions of the leg straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on said side 100p portions of the back strap to secure the harnessupon the wearer at the legs.

4. A parachute harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, to the shoulders, fittings on said main web arranged for positioning respectively in the forward shoulder regions at opposite sides of the wearer, said main web passing upwardly through said fittings and then reversely therethrough downwardly over and secured to the upward courses of said web, rings attached to said web portions at opposite sides of the chest of the wearer for attachment of a parachute pack, a back strap arranged" to extend horizontally across the back and forwardly about the right and left sides of the wearer through openings in the main web at the front of the wearer adjuster devices permanently secured respectively to the forward ends of said back strap, leg and chest straps secured adjacent their lower ends to the main web and extending upwardly therefrom to form side loops, said leg and chest straps then passing through openings in said main web, thence around the right and left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders, through said fittings and downwardly over the front of the wearer to form chest loops with the other end portions thereof adjustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices secured to saidback strap, complementary fastening devices on said chest loop portions of the leg andchest straps arranged for interlocking connection" to secure the harness upon the wearer atthe chest, a ring and a hook respectively onsaid side loop portions of the leg-and chest straps, and ahook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the lower free end portions of said leg and chest straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the. ring and hook on the: said side loop portions to secure the harness upon the wearer at the legs.

5. A parachuteharness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, over the shoulder, and termirrating in a pair of lift web-s passing down the back for connection to a parachutepack, a pair of adjuster devices on said: main web arranged for positioning respectively, in the forward shoulder regions at opposite sides of the wearer, a back and chest strap arranged to extend horizontally across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of theiwearer to form chest loops and having. its opposite end portions adjustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices, coniplementary fastening devices on said chest loop portions of the back and chest strap arranged for interlocking connection to securethe harness upon the wearer at the chest, legstraps secured adjacent their lower endsto said main web and extending upwardly therefrom to form side loops, saidleg straps then passing around the right and left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders andhaving the upper end portions thereof permanently secured respectively to said adjuster devices, a ring and a hook respectively on said side loopportions of theleg straps, and a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the free endportions of said leg straps and arranged for. interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on thesaid side loop portion f the leg straps to secure the harness upo the wearer at the legs. a

r 6. A parachute harness having a main web, body engaging straps connected to said main web and. having portions movable with respect to the main web and positioned to extend about a wearers body, leg straps. each connected at oneend to said main web and positioned to be drawn upward between a wearers legs, complementary fittings carried by said portions of thebody engaging straps and by said leg straps for connecting said leg straps to the, body engaging straps in applying the harness to a wearer, and slip adjusting means carried by each of the leg straps, the opposite ends. of said leg straps being free and extending from said slip adjusting means in position to be grasped by a wearer and pulled to reduce the effective length of the connected bodyand legstraps while the harness is in place on a wearer, with said fittings in connection relation, said slip adjusting means each including an element engageable. by said free end of a leg strap in a direction to loosen said and movable thereby to hold the straps in fixed positions when placed under tension in a direction to increase the effective length of the connected body and leg straps, said element being movable when said free end of the leg strap is pulled to permit relatively free movement of said free end to tighten the harness on a wearer.

7. A parachute harness having a main Web, body engaging straps connected at their opposite ends to said main web and having intermediate portions movable with respect to the main web and positioned to extend about a wearers body, leg straps each connected at one end to said main web and positioned to be drawn upward between a wearers legs, complementary fittings carried by the intermediate portions of said body engaging straps and by said leg straps for connecting said straps in applying the harness to a wearer, and slip adjusting means carried by the leg straps, the opposite ends of said leg straps extending through said adjusting means and presenting free ends located in position to be grasped and pulled by a person wearing the harness to reduce the effective length of said leg straps whereby adjustment in the length of the straps will serve to vary the efiective length of the connected leg and body straps, said slip adjusting means each including an element engageable by said free end of a leg strap and movable thereby to hold the straps in fixed positions when placed under tension in a direction to increase the effective length of the connected body and leg straps, said element being movable when said free end of the leg strap is pulled to permit relatively free movement of said free end to tighten the harness on a wearer.

8. In a parachute harness embodying 1 a seat sling, leg straps connected to said seat sling, body engaging straps also connected to said sling, and connectors carried by the leg straps and body engaging straps for releasably connecting said straps together, means for simultaneously varyin the effective length of the leg and body straps while thes straps are connected and while the harness is in place to adjust the harness to fit wearers of difierent size, said means including a fitting formed with an opening therein through which a free end portion of one of said straps extends into position to be grasped and pulled by a person wearing the harness, to tighten the harness, and a gripping member engaged by said free end portion and movable thereby with respect to said fitting to strap releasing and strap holding positions, movement of said free end portion in a direction to tighten the harness on the wearer tending to move the grippin member to strap releas- I ing position whereby the leg straps and body engaging straps may be connected and thereafter simultaneously tightened by pulling on said free end portion, movement of said free end portion harness tending to to said strap holdprevent undesired loosening of said move the gripping member ing position to straps.

9. A parachute harness of the character defined in claim 8 wherein a plurality of said fittings are employed and each fitting is carried by a different strap.

10. A parachute harness of the character defined in claim 8 wherein one of said fittings is carried by each of the leg straps.

11. A parachute harness comprising a U- shaped sling arranged to pass beneath the seat of a wearer and upward at opposite sides of a wearer to points adjacent each of the wearers shoulders, leg engaging strap means connected to said sling in position to be drawn upward between a wearers legs, a body engaging strap connected to said sling at one of said points adjacent a wearers shoulder, a second body engaging strap connected to said sling at the other of said points adjacent a wearers shoulder, means for detachably connecting said body engaging straps to each other and to said leg engaging strap means, said leg engaging strap means and said body engaging straps each. presenting a free end portion, and means for adjusting the harness to fit wearers of different size including fittings each formed with an opening therein through which one of said free end portions extends, each fitting having a gripping member engaged by the free end portion extending therethrough and movable by said free end portion with respect to said fitting to strap releasing and strap holding positions, movement of said free end portion in a direction to tighten the harness on the wearer tending to move the gripping member to strap releasing position and movement of said free end portion in a direction to loosen the harness tending to move the gripping member to said strap holding position.

12. A parachute harness comprising a main web in the form of a U-shaped sling with a portion arranged to extend beneath a wearers seat for supporting the wearer during a parachute descent and having side portions extending upward from said seat portion, a back strap extending across the harness between the upwardly extending side portions of said sling and having the opposite ends thereof extending forwardly from the sling, an adjusting member carried by each of said forwardly extending ends of the back strap, two chest straps each of which is connected at a point adjacent wearers shoulder to one of the upwardly extending side portions of said sling and extends downward from said point in a loop and is provided with a connector for securing said loops together, the lower portion of each of said chest straps passing through one of the adjusting members on the ends of said back strap and terminating in a free end located in front of the wearer in position to be grasped by the wearer so that when the end is pulled it will tighten the chest and back straps simultaneously.

13. A parachute harness comprising a main web in the worm of a U-shaped sling havinga portion arranged to extend beneath the seat of a wearer for supporting the wearer during a parachute descent and having side portions extending upward from said seat portions at opposite sides of the wearer, a back strap of fixed length extending between the upwardly extending side portions of said sling and having the opposite ends thereof extending forwardly from the sling, an adjusting member carried by each of said forwardly extending ends of the back strap, two chest straps each of which is connected at a point adjacent the wearers shoulder to one of the upwardly extending side portions of said sling and extends downward from said point in a loop and is provided with a connector for securing said loops together, the lower portion of each of said chest straps passing through one of the adjusting members on the ends of said back strap and terminating in a free end located in front of the wearer in position to be grasped by the wearer so that when the end is pulled it will tighten the chest and back straps simultaneously, said adjusting members each including a gripping element engaged by the free end portion of the shoulder strap and movable thereby to prevent free move- 13 ment of the shoulder strap to increase the effectivelength thereof.

14. A parachute harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, over the shoulder, and terminating in a pair of lift webs passing down the" back for connection to a parachute pack; fittings on said main web arranged for positioning respectively in the forward shoulderregions at opposite sides of the wearer; baclr strap arranged toextend horizontally across the back and having its opposite. ends protruding forwardly about the right and left hand sides to the front of the wearer; adjuster devices permanently secured respectively to the forward ends of said back strap; two chest straps each having one end thereof which extends'through one of said adjuster devices and terminates in a free end located in front of the wearer in position to be grasped in, adjusting the harness; said chest straps extending upwardly from said adjuster devices to form chest loops and having their other end portions permanently secured respectively to said: shoulder fittings; complementary fast-eningdevices on said chest loops arranged for interlocking connection to secure the harness upon'the wearerat the chest; body straps secured adjacent their upper ends to said main web and extending downward therefrom to form side loops located adjacent the hips of the wearer, a ring and a hook respectively on said side loop portions of the body straps; leg straps connected to said main web in positions to extend upward between the wearers legs and each terminating in a free end portion, a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the ireeend portions of said'leg straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on the said side loo-p portions of the body straps to secure the harness uponthe wearer at the legs.

15. A parachute harness having a sling arranged topass beneath. a wearers seat and upward a t-opposite sides of the wearer to points adjacent the wearers shoulders, chest straps connected to the sling at said points and extending downward therefrom over the wearers chest, back straps connected to said sling at said points and extending downward therefrom across the wearers back and provided with forwardly extending loops at opposite sides of the wearer, leg straps connected to the sling at the seat and arranged to extend upward between a wearers legs, means for detachably connecting said chest straps to each: other, means for detachably connecting said leg straps to said loops, said leg straps and said chest straps each having a free end portion positioned to be located in front of a wearer when the straps are connected, and a separate fitting located adjacent each of said free end-- portions, each of said fittings having an end portion and a friction member about which said free end portion passes, the friction member beingmovable by said strap portion toward said end portion of the fitting to cooperate with saidend portion of the fitting in holding the strap portion against slippage, movement of the free end portion in a direction to loosen the harness tending to movethe friction member to a strap; holding position and movement of the free end por tion in a direction to tighten the harness tending to move' the friction member to strap releasing position.

16; Arparachute harnesscomprising a main web inthe form of a Llshaped sling for supporting a wearer during a parachute descent, leg straps each having one end thereof connected to saidmain web, the opposite ends of the straps being arranged to extend upward between the legs of a wearer in applying the harness, body engaging straps connected at their opposite endsto said main web and having intermediate portions in the form of loops extending forward at opposite sidesof the wearer, said loops being provided with connecting members, said leg straps having: complementary connecting members thereon engage able with the connecting members on said loops, and! adjusting members formed integral with the connecting members on the leg straps, the leg straps having free end portions passing through the adjusting members and extending therefrom in position to be grasped and pulled through the adjuster while the connecting members are in engagement whereby a reduction in the effective length of the leg straps will serve to produce a simultaneous and similar tightening of the body engaging straps to adjust the harness to fit the wearer while the harness is in place, said adjusting members each including a gripping element engaged by the free end portion of the leg strap and operable to prevent free movement of the leg strap to increase the effective length thereof.

17. A parachute harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, over the shoulder, and terminating in a pair of lift webs passing down the back for connection to a parachute pack; a pair of adjuster devices on said main web arranged for positioning respectively in the forward shoulregions at opposite sides of the wearer; a-

back and chest strap arranged to extend hurl-- zontally across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of the wearer to form chest loops and having its opposite end portions adj ustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices; complementary fastening devices on said chest loop portion of the back and chest strap arranged for interlocking connection to secure the harness upon the wearer at the chest; leg

straps formed independently of the back and chest strap and having free ends provided with adjusters for varying the effective length of said free ends, the opposite lower ends of said leg straps being secured to said main web and extending upwardly therefrom to form side loops said leg straps then passing around the right left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders and having the upper end portions thereof permanently secured respectively to said adjuster devices; a ring and a hook. renpectively on said side loop portions of. the leg straps; and a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the free end portions of said leg straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on the said side loop portion of the leg straps to secure the harness upon the wearer at the legs; the said, adjuster devices, said hook and said ring being. constructed and arranged so that the respective end portions of the straps associated therewith are adjustable with respect thereto at the will of the wearer so that when the straps are placed under tension to tighten. the same about the body of the wearer said adjuster devices, hook and ring operate to securely retain said" straps in the positions to which adjusted.

18. A parachute harness comprising a. main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, over the shoulder,

and: terminating in a pair of lift webs passing down the back for connection to a Parachute pack; a pair of adjusting devices on said main web arranged for positioning respectively in the forward shoulder regions at opposite sides of the wearer; a back and chest strap arranged to extend horizontally across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of the wearer to formchest loops and having its opposite end portions adjustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices; complementary fastening devices on said chest loop portions of the back and chest strap arranged forinterlocking connection to secure the harness upon the wearer at the chest;-leg straps formed independently of the back and chest strap and having free ends provided with adjusters for varying the effective length of said free ends, the opposite lower ends of said leg straps' being secured to said main web and extending upwardly therefrofn to form side loops; said leg straps then passing arround the right and left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders and having the upper end portions thereof permanently secured respectively to said adjuster devices; a ring and a hook respectively on said side loop portions of the leg straps; and a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the free end portions of said leg straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on the said side loop portion of the leg straps to secure the harness upon the wearer at the legs; means to prevent disengagement of the respective end portions of the chest and back strap and the leg straps from said adjuster devices, said hook and said ring; and the said adjuster devices, said hook and said ring being constructed and arranged so that the respective end portions of the straps associated therewith are adjustable with respect thereto at the will of the wearer so that when said straps are placed under tension to tighten the same about the body of the wearer, the said adjuster devices, hook and ring operate to securely retain said straps in the positions to which adjusted.

19. A parachute harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, to the shoulders; fittings on said main web arranged for positioning respectively in the forward shoulder regions at opposite sides 'of the wearer; said main web passing upwardlythrough said fittings and then reversely therethrough downwardly over and secured to the upward courses of said web; rings attached to said web portions at opposite sides of the chest of the wearer for attachment of a parachute pack; a back strap arranged t extend horizontally 'across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of the wearer through openings in the main web at the front of the wearer; adjuster devices permanently secured respectively to the forward ends of said back strap; leg and chest straps secured adjacent their lower ends to the main web and extending upwardly therefrom to form side loops; said leg and chest straps then passing through openings in saidmain web; thence around the right and left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders, through said fittings and downwardly over the front of the wearer to form chest loops with the other end portions thereof adjustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices secured to said back strap; complementary fastening devices on said chest lpop portions of the leg and chest straps arranged for interlocking connection to secure the harness upon the wearer at the chest; a ring and a hook respectively on said side loop portions of the leg and chest straps; a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the lower free end portions of said leg and chest straps and ar-- ranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on the said side portions to secure the harness upon the wearer at the legs; and means to prevent disengagement of, the respective end portions of the leg and chest straps from said adjuster devices, hook and ring.

20. A parachute harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, to the shoulders; fittings on said mainweb arranged for position ing respectively in the forward shoulder regions at opposite sides of the wearer; said main web passing upwardly through said fittings and then reversely therethrough downward over and "secured to the upward courses of said'web; rings attached to said web portions at opposite sides of the chest of the wearer for attachment of a parachute pack; a back strap arranged to extend horizontally across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of the wearer through openings in the main web at the front of the wearer; adjuster devices permanently secured respectively to the forward ends of said back strap; leg and chest straps secured adja cent their lower ends to themain web and extending upwardly therefrom to form side loops; said leg and chest straps then passing through openings in said main web thence around the right and left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders, through said fittings and downwardly over the front of the wearer to form chest loops with the other end portions thereof adjustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices secured to said back strap; complementary fastening devices on said chest loop portions of the leg and chest straps arranged for interlocking connection to secure the harness uponithe wearer at the chest; a ring and a hook respectively on said side loop portions of the leg and chest straps; a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the lower free end portions of said leg and chest straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on the said side loop portions to secure the harness upon the wearer at the legs; the said adjuster devices, hook and ring being constructed and arranged so that the respective end portions of the straps associated therewith are adjustable with respect thereto at the will of the wearer and so that when said straps are placed under tension to tighten the same about the body of the wearer, said adjuster devices, hook and ring operate to securely retain said straps in the positions to which adjusted.

21. A parachute harness comprising a main web arranged to pass under the seat of the wearer, thence up the front, to the shoulders; fittings on said main web arranged for positioning respectively in the forward shoulder regions at opposite sides of the wearer; said main web passing upwardly through said fittings and then reversely therethrough downwardly over and secured to the upward courses of said web; rings attached to said web portions at opposite sides of the chest of the wearer for attachment of a parachute pack;

across the back and forwardly about the right and left hand sides of the wearer through openings in the main web at the front of the wearer; adjuster devices permanently secured respectively to the forward ends of said back strap; leg and chest straps secured adjacent their lower ends to the main web and extending upwardly therefrom to form side loops; said leg and chest straps then passing through openings in said main web, thence around the right and left sides respectively of the wearer, crossing over behind the back, then forwardly over the opposite shoulders, through said fittings and downwardly over the front of the wearer to form chest loops with the other end portions thereof adjustably connected respectively to said adjuster devices secured to said back strap; complementary fastening devices on said chest loop portions of the leg and chest straps arranged for interlocking connection to secure the harness upon the wearer at the chest; a ring and a hook respectively on said side loop portions of the leg and chest straps; a hook and a ring adjustably mounted respectively on the lower free end portions of said leg and chest straps and arranged for interlocking connection respectively with the ring and hook on the said side loop portions to secure the harness upon the wearer at the legs; and means to prevent disengagement of the respective end portions of the leg and chest straps from said adjuster devices, hook and ring; the said adjuster devices, hook and ring being constructed and arranged so that the respective end portions of the straps associated therewith are adjustable with respect thereto at the will of the wearer and so that when said straps are placed under tension to tighten the same about the body of the wearer, said adjuster devices, hook and ring operate to securely retain said straps in the positions to which adjusted.

JOSHUA MILLER.

BERGIE L. KAUFFMAN.

JAMES T. TRUELSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following referemces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,440,151 Irvin Dec. 26, 1922 1,769,520 Knight July 1, 1930 1,958,000 Hamer May 8, 1934 2,192,083 Irvin Feb. 27, 1940 2,405,671 Quilter Aug. 13, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 247,062 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1926 Certificate of Correction 7 Patent No. 2,475,631 July 12, 1949 JOSHUA MILLER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 12, for the numeral 35 read 88; column 12, 1ine 50, for the Word worm read form;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oifice.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of February, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommissz'oner of Patents. 

